Lightning has been down six weeks and counting.

[Streek]

My 2023 lightning has been in the shop for more than six weeks. It went to the dealership because the shifter would not move. As of today, I believe the shifter issue has been repaired because of a defective brake booster. Now it appears the vehicle is throwing codes such as Powertrain/Malfunction Reduced Power, Restraints Indicator Lamp Warning.

The dealer, along with Ford Motor is saying they want to get the engineers involved. However, it appears they cannot figure it out. I'm not sure when I will get to the vehicle back.

There alot going on and Ford (dealer and corporate)does NOT do a good job with communicating

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[Avocadodude]

My 2023 lightning has been in the shop for more than six weeks. It went to the dealership because the shifter would not move. As of today, I believe the shifter issue has been repaired because of a defective brake booster. Now it appears the vehicle is throwing codes such as Powertrain/Malfunction Reduced Power, Restraints Indicator Lamp Warning.

The dealer, along with Ford Motor is saying they want to get the engineers involved. However, it appears they cannot figure it out. I'm not sure when I will get to the vehicle back.

There alot going on and Ford (dealer and corporate)does NOT do a good job with communicating

I know there are a couple other threads on here where the "Restraints Indicator Lamp Warning" seemed to be a result of the HVBP "Powertrain/Malfunction Reduced Power" issue. At 6 weeks and no clear path, I might start thinking about our states lemon law. CA Lemon Law Your truck definitely exceeds the 30 day window.

 

[Streek]

I'm considering the Lemon Law. However, I have put some extra cash in the truck such as ceramic coating, front grill paint , powered steps ,tinted windows and a few other items. Therefore the hesitation on pursuing it.

 

[G-Zeus]

There is definitely a problem with the mechanics at the dealers thinking that they know everything about vehicles and the engineers are a bunch of propellerheads that never turned wrenches (a dealer actually said this to me... I don't go to that dealer anymore...)

They have NO CLUE what they are talking about when it comes to the sophisticated electronics and software systems of the Lightning. They think they know, but they really don't. The engineers in Deaerborne are excellent, and really want to help. If you haven't already called corporate support, you should. They are also excellent to help connect the dots, and follow up with you, even if the dealer just won't listen. I'm still waiting for my frunk replacement after the original dealer melted the crap out of mine... after fixing a power drain issue I was having with my driver's seat control module (which never would have been resolved if the engineers weren't directly involved with me through corporate support).

 

[flyct]

As others have suggested, this is a slam dunk Lemon Law case. Either a buyback or a replacement. Start HERE: https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/bbb-autoline

My 2019 F350 was Lemon Lawed and it was easy if you document and follow the guidelines.

 

[RickLightning]

My 2023 lightning has been in the shop for more than six weeks. It went to the dealership because the shifter would not move. As of today, I believe the shifter issue has been repaired because of a defective brake booster. Now it appears the vehicle is throwing codes such as Powertrain/Malfunction Reduced Power, Restraints Indicator Lamp Warning.

The dealer, along with Ford Motor is saying they want to get the engineers involved. However, it appears they cannot figure it out. I'm not sure when I will get to the vehicle back.

There alot going on and Ford (dealer and corporate)does NOT do a good job with communicating

Herein lies the biggest issue and obstacle to Ford's success. I've had multiple service situations where the lack of ability of Ford corporate to clearly communicate with the dealership due to franchise laws has made me want to kick someone. "We can't tell them what to do, we can only advise when they ask for advice".

I have been lucky that most of my issues have been well known on the various forums, and I've been able to navigate better through it all as a result. It's very frustrating.

 

[Streek]

VERY FRUSTRATING is true. I contacted the dealer yesterday and asked to speak to the service advisor and the manager. They both was were busy with customers and neither NEVER called me back. I'm getting beyond frustration 🫤.

 

[RickLightning]

VERY FRUSTRATING is true. I contacted the dealer yesterday and asked to speak to the service advisor and the manager. They both was were busy with customers and neither NEVER called me back. I'm getting beyond frustration 🫤.

The way to deal with this, which may not be open to you, is to switch dealers.

I have 10 dealers within 30 minutes, 1/2 dozen within less. I had switched dealers in 2018 when my salesperson retired, and I didn't like his replacement. 5 years later I was looking to buy a demo Lightning and they were only available out of state. My new dealer said that if I didn't buy from them, despite buying one gas car and 2 EVs in 5 years, they wouldn't service it. I've now moved back to the former dealership who has no issue servicing vehicles they don't sell (and neither does the next choice on the list).

At an EV show, the dealer I've now left had vehicles there, and couldn't close the frunk due to a stuck latch. They asked me for help, and I got it fixed using the inside latch release. I told them to tell the Service Manager that I help all dealerships, regardless of whether they service my vehicles...

 

[Streek]

How do I change dealerships when the vehicle is disassembled at it current location? I'm open to whatever will get my lightning back as it was when I purchased it new.

 

[kendotelie]

I'm considering the Lemon Law. However, I have put some extra cash in the truck such as ceramic coating, front grill paint , powered steps ,tinted windows and a few other items. Therefore the hesitation on pursuing it.

these aftermarket installs are considered "collateral". dig up any invoices/receipts for the installs and submit them in your claim under your states lemon law or just contact the ford customer service and ask them to submit a request to repurchase the vehicle. If deemed a lemon or if ford agrees, the Ford RAV will go over with you what will count for collateral (not sure about the painted grill) but installed parts should be covered, tints too as i had some items myself

i just completed one myself. started at end of september thru (BBB autoline) and finished it by surrendering the vehicle last week

 

[Streek]

these aftermarket installs are considered "collateral". dig up any invoices/receipts for the installs and submit them in your claim under your states lemon law or just contact the ford customer service and ask them to submit a request to repurchase the vehicle. If deemed a lemon or if ford agrees, the Ford RAV will go over with you what will count for collateral (not sure about the painted grill) but installed parts should be covered, tints too as i had some items myself

i just completed one myself. started at end of september thru (BBB autoline) and finished it by surrendering the vehicle last week

Thanks for the info. I have submitted a claim with BBB a few hours ago.

 

[flyct]

If it goes to a buyback offer from the RAV team they will factor usage charges using a formula. You can. Negotiate those easily. They will also reimburse all payments, fees and taxes. I’m

 

[Streek]

If it goes to a buyback offer from the RAV team they will factor usage charges using a formula. You can. Negotiate those easily. They will also reimburse all payments, fees and taxes. I’m

Thanks.I'm lining all of my info up for a response when they contact me.

 

[Monkey]

I'm considering the Lemon Law. However, I have put some extra cash in the truck such as ceramic coating, front grill paint , powered steps ,tinted windows and a few other items. Therefore the hesitation on pursuing it.

You may end up going this route, and probably should, if they can't get you fixed up in the next couple weeks. You can remove anything you added to the truck -- like the powered steps. But yeah that sucks when you fix it up nice and your ceramic coating, tint, etc.. can't be recovered.

Thanks for the info. I have submitted a claim with BBB a few hours ago.

While that does help some, it's usually not a huge help to most. The BBB is a private organization and their best service is really advice and/or resources to help pursue something like this. Most businesses don't care about BBB ratings... They don't carry any more weight than a Yelp or Google review because they're the same thing. But sometimes a dealership is more likely to move quicker to help a customer if they know the BBB is advising them or even directing them to a lemon law attorney.

Have you opened a case with Ford directly? I have been through a lemon claim with Ford on a 2006 Excursion. The dealership kept jerking me around, but Ford made them buy it back before I had to get a lawyer involved. I don't know if they handle it the same way now...

 

[astricklin]

You may end up going this route, and probably should, if they can't get you fixed up in the next couple weeks. You can remove anything you added to the truck -- like the powered steps. But yeah that sucks when you fix it up nice and your ceramic coating, tint, etc.. can't be recovered.


While that does help some, it's usually not a huge help to most. The BBB is a private organization and their best service is really advice and/or resources to help pursue something like this. Most businesses don't care about BBB ratings... They don't carry any more weight than a Yelp or Google review because they're the same thing. But sometimes a dealership is more likely to move quicker to help a customer if they know the BBB is advising them or even directing them to a lemon law attorney.

Have you opened a case with Ford directly? I have been through a lemon claim with Ford on a 2006 Excursion. The dealership kept jerking me around, but Ford made them buy it back before I had to get a lawyer involved. I don't know if they handle it the same way now...

Living in California, I would start with lemonlaw.ca.gov

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